What is prayer?

[jennylove]

Do you define prayer as the time where you spend talking to God? That is the definition that I most often hear. If so, read on and give some thought to a different definition.

I contend that prayer is a time of Communion with God. Communion is a two way thing. Yes, I say or ask things from God during prayer but don't forget to take the time to let Him speak back.

If you haven't tried this before, do it and I guarantee that you will experience a revival within your soul like nothing you have ever felt before…

 

[Kelli]

Jenny,
May I ask how you do that. It's sad because the times I have tried, my mind just goes a hundred miles an hour, and I don't have enough Patience.

I went to a woman's retreat onetime and they talked about doing this, I just can't seem to do it. God does talk to me. He uses His word, and other Christians, and I have heard Him in my heart, it's sad, the times He does speak to me in that "still small voice" is usually when I'm in the shower!

I think it's because my mind is quiet, concentrating on a mundane task... I don't know if it's because I have ADD or what, but I wish I could hear from God like that.

Kelli

 

[ProphetMark]

I spent over a month once praying for 10 minutes and then listening for an answer for half an hour, every day. God never said a word to me.

 

[Innkeeper-Ministry]

Jenny,
May I ask how you do that. It's sad because the times I have tried, my mind just goes a hundred miles an hour, and I don't have enough Patience.

I went to a woman's retreat onetime and they talked about doing this, I just can't seem to do it. God does talk to me. He uses His word, and other Christians, and I have heard Him in my heart, it's sad, the times He does speak to me in that "still small voice" is usually when I'm in the shower!

I think it's because my mind is quiet, concentrating on a mundane task... I don't know if it's because I have ADD or what, but I wish I could hear from God like that.

Kelli

OK, and hello Kelli;
I was over on my own puter when my hubby read this post to me and asked if I would care to reply so,,here I am, not Innkeeper. Seems the topic is 'prayer' with the allegation to various kinds of actions, head bowed or eyes closed or serene concentration etc as being the ways and means.However you look at such things and are immediately puzzled because those things do not work for you!! Yet you hear God in the shower. Picture with me now for a moment two conversational scenes. One more general,even a touch formal with pleasantries,-Hello, how are you today?,the weather is so nice,,good to see you,your looking good, hows the family,good good,perhaps we should go for coffee sometime.Easy eh? Yeah a common theme we all have found ourselves in and even repeating with people we call friends. An acceptable way to interact that frankly leaves me shuddering like the sound of nails on a blackboard does. BLAH!!!Acceptable shallowness. Ok, now lets move things a bit to the um,,left?.lol Scene two,you in the shower but this time lets add in a friend. OH STOP ROLLING THOSE EYES THINKING I LOST MY MIND AND PAY TENTION.Tell me what the difference is between the first and second scenes? It is intimacy and transparency,and an acceptance that is not all that common in the Church today.Retreats and such sadly 'teach' what is easiest to learn without going into much depth, leaving most who attend them quite content with what they learned. It is enough for most people.
You also have ADD,(yes another plus )which means you are tuned to 'hear' God in ways most never even consider. Am sure you do know what I am talking about.lol Can be harder to recognize though, what you DO have as it doesnt end up in many how-to religious manuals.Don't wish to be like 'them' when God made you to be like you already are for HIS benefit.Kinda like wanting to trade in the digital tv for a black and white!

 

[JoJo]

I spent over a month once praying for 10 minutes and then listening for an answer for half an hour, every day. God never said a word to me.

It's been my experience that God speaks to me when He has something to say.

For instance, when my teenage son was diagnosed with cancer and was in ICU for two weeks, I heard from God a lot! One conversation went like this:

"Lord, please tell me what is going to happen to my son. I need to know so I'll be prepared."

"Your son will live," God whispered in my heart.

"Are you sure? I really need to know this is you talking and not just my wishful thinking."

"Your son will live."

And then while flipping through the Bible, I landed on John 4:50 in which Jesus told the royal official, "...your son will live."

My son lived and has been in remission for 3 years.

Coincidence? Not on your life!

 

[itpro4470]

I will have to give this a try!!

 

[Wheezer]

I was taught as a youngster that when you want to pray, you have to bow your head, fold your hands together, close your eyes and bow your head. Then tell God what you want, say amen and move on with your day. The pastor always talked about how God would talk to us, but I don't remember that ever happening.

Now-a-days I don't pray that way much at all, if ever. My outlook on prayer has changed, and I can tell you without any doubt that God talks to me. Sometimes it's through others, sometimes in my heart, sometimes I hear a voice in my head, and sometimes something will happen that I know happened because God wanted to get a message to me.

You see, I don't consider what I do most of the time to be praying. I'm simply having a conversation with God. The same way I talk to a friend is the way I talk to Him. The conversations go on all day. So whenever something comes into my mind that I should say to Him, I do it. Sometimes I get a quick answer, sometimes I don't. But it always impresses me how many times I'll say something to God and within seconds there is a response.

One of the first times I noticed a particular response, I actually laughed out loud. Thinking wow, what a coinscidence. But then it kept happening over and over again until I finally realized it had to be God. So get ready to laugh, because here's what happened...

I was a cab driver in a smaller city. For whatever reason a lot of people in that city drive around at night without their headlights on. When I'd see a car without the lights on, in my head I'd ask God to please impress on the driver of that vehicle to turn their headlights on so they wouldn't be in an accident. Before I'd loose sight of the vehicle, the lights would come on. I never flashed my lights at the vehicle and I didn't see anyone else flash their's either. I've seen this happen litterally hundreds if not thousands of times now.

I know, sounds kinda lame. Why would God do something so small? Because I asked Him to, and it was within His Will.

I've found that by having this running conversation with God I feel Him acting in my life more than I ever though would happen. I know that because of this I am more of a Christian than I have ever been before.

I think that jennylove said it right. That's pretty much how I see it. Prayer is a conversation, with both sides contributing.

 

[ProphetMark]

I was taught as a youngster that when you want to pray, you have to bow your head, fold your hands together, close your eyes and bow your head. Then tell God what you want, say amen and move on with your day.

Yeah where does this idea of putting your hands together, closing your eyes and bowing your head come from? Isn't it more biblical to lift your head up towards Heaven, or lie prostrate on the floor?

It's been my experience that God speaks to me when He has something to say.

Why would God only speak when he has something to say? Why doesn't God seem to be into small talk? Why don't I get a response when I say "Hello God. How are you?", or when I tell him about something interesting that's happened to me? Doesn't God want a relationship with me?

 

[JoJo]

Why would God only speak when he has something to say? Why doesn't God seem to be into small talk? Why don't I get a response when I say "Hello God. How are you?", or when I tell him about something interesting that's happened to me? Doesn't God want a relationship with me?

God does speak when He has something to say. I didn't say something "important" to say, for everything God says is important. While the example I used was definitely an important conversation with God, the Lord also blesses me with "small talk."

Yes, God definitely wants a relationship with you, ProphetMark! I'm not sure why you don't experience God's voice (or perhaps you do in a different way?) I could never try to analyze your personal spiritual life. I'm just trying to share my experiences with hearing the voice of the Shepherd.

 

[ashley0627]

i just joined this forum because i just recently found God.. ive always known he was there.. i was lost for a little while but now I have found him and ive just had so many questions.. and i dont have very many people to talk about these questions i have with... and already just reading posts like this i feel so relieved that other people have the same kind of questions... im so glad i joined!

 

[cvdesty]

I have written several articles on prayer at The Bible Post. But here is one that I think you might want to take a look at: Knowing that God Already Knows

 

[JoJo]

Great article!

 

[Innkeeper-Ministry]

I have written several articles on prayer at The Bible Post. But here is one that I think you might want to take a look at: Knowing that God Already Knows

I realize I am about to pop someones bubble so I will attempt to be gentle. I only got to the first paragraph of your article where you said:

In essence, prayer is an invitation to God to enter into the heart; it is the lifeblood of the soul. Without it we would have no true direction, nor any hope for better things to come. Thus prayer connects us to God and opens our eyes to the fact that we’re not alone, but encourages us to acknowledge God as our refuge and strength–a very present help in trouble. (Psalms 46:1)

Both my wife and I answered the same way on this - :crazy

So according to this - your words not mine - that unless I am IN PRAYER - God is not in my heart. That me praying is my 'life blood? That prayer is what connects us to God? So unless I am IN PRAYER ie Talking to God - I am not connected to God? To me that is belittling our real relationship with God to a level of words and actions not truth and love. I am NOT saying to stop praying Yes and amen. However I am saying that prayer is a part not the whole of our relationship. Our relationship with God is not based on how long or how often I pray. O.K enough said I will await your reply if any

 

[JoJo]

I don't see it as a belittlement, only an enhancement to our relationship with God, adding enrichment and fulfillment. What would our relationship with God be like without prayer? It is an important aspect of the relationship, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

 

[Innkeeper-Ministry]

Please forgive my insipid ignorance. I am confused. I guess then my real question is this:

What do you call 'Prayer'?

 

[JoJo]

I believe prayer is conversing with God. Speaking to Him and listening for His response (which can be in words or in actions). It would seem that sometimes the Lord chooses not to respond, in which case I take it as a "no" or a "wait" and sometimes the answer would be beyond my grasp and it is never revealed to me at all.

 

[Innkeeper-Ministry]

Very well, that is what I thought you meant by prayer so now I can continue with my comment. JoJo, the article you spoke of on prayer is in error to think it is by conversion with God that connects us or fulfills us. You description of prayer is very common and very limited and this is why I question the article. I am not connected to God by my praying. I am connected to God by His Son Jesus. I am not closer by praying nor am I further5 away from God if I am not praying (prayer according to your description, not mine). My knowing God is my refuge is not based on my prayer. It is based on my personal intimate relationship with God. I have a personal relationship with my wife and it is NOT based on how much I talk to her. We do talk generally of course but the most intimate times is when we just sit together and smile. You see JoJo, too long have I heard the drumbeat of 'YOU MUST PRAY' 'IF YOU DON'T PRAY GOD IS DISPLEASED' I mean come on now. That is the same mind set the Muslims use - the Buddha's use and every other religion around the world uses. What is the difference? We are already complete in Christ BY Christ not by our prayers. My life is already filled BY Christ not by prayer. I am not trying to be hard here sis but the truth must come forth. Just because something sounds nice doesn't make it right. Remember I am only using this since you described Prayer as communicating with God in words and action. Now in this if you want to hear my heart on what PRAYER really is then I can go there gladly. I hope you hear me and understand this is not a personal attack it is just speaking the truth.

 

[JoJo]

No, I certainly don't take it as a personal attack.

You description of prayer is very common

Good! I'm glad other people feel the way I do about prayer. I don't speak rotely from memory of what was drilled into my head in Sunday School (it wasn't). I speak from experience. If it weren't for the exchange of the Lord's whispers of truth and hope in exchange for my cries and questions (during my son's cancer treatment, for example) I don't know how I would have made it through. Prayer is a huge part of my love relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

I agree that we are already complete by Christ and that prayer is not a required component of Christianity (I think of the mentally incapacitated or even comatose patients who may not be able to pray). I am not enrolled in the school of legalism, nor do I believe rote, forced prayer is effective. But I do believe prayer enhances the relationship with God and allows us to communicate back and forth. So I do believe we may possibly agree on the heart of prayer.